Neurodegenerative diseases are the second most common cause of death and characterized by progressive impairments in movement or mental functioning in the central or peripheral nervous system. The prevention of neurodegenerative disorders has become an emerging public health challenge for our society. Melatonin, a pineal hormone, has various physiological functions in the brain, including regulating circadian rhythms, clearing free radicals, inhibiting biomolecular oxidation, and suppressing neuroinflammation. Cumulative evidence indicates that melatonin has a wide range of neuroprotective roles by regulating pathophysiological mechanisms and signaling pathways. Moreover, melatonin levels are decreased in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the regulation, molecular mechanisms and biological functions of melatonin in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, vascular dementia and multiple sclerosis. We also discuss the clinical application of melatonin in neurodegenerative disorders. This information will lead to a better understanding of the regulation of melatonin in the brain and provide therapeutic options for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases.

中文翻译：

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褪黑素的细胞机制：神经退行性疾病的见解。

神经退行性疾病是第二大最常见的死亡原因，其特征是中枢或周围神经系统的运动或心理功能逐渐受损。预防神经退行性疾病已成为我们社会新兴的公共卫生挑战。褪黑激素是一种松果激素，在大脑中具有多种生理功能，包括调节昼夜节律，清除自由基，抑制生物分子氧化以及抑制神经炎症。累积证据表明，褪黑激素通过调节病理生理机制和信号传导途径具有广泛的神经保护作用。此外，患有神经退行性疾病的患者的褪黑激素水平降低。在这篇评论中，我们总结了有关法规的最新知识，褪黑素在诸如阿兹海默氏病，帕金森氏病，亨廷顿氏病，肌萎缩性侧索硬化症，血管性痴呆和多发性硬化症等神经退行性疾病中的分子机制和生物学功能。我们还讨论了褪黑激素在神经退行性疾病中的临床应用。这些信息将使人们更好地了解大脑中褪黑激素的调节，并为各种神经退行性疾病的治疗提供治疗选择。